WALTER ESPEC’S VISION, 187

and the damsel, treading so softly that her footstep
made not the slightest noise, moved about the room
in silent thought, now turning to gaze on the wounded
squire, now looking from the casement. Walter, now
fully awake, began to experience a strong feeling of
curiosity; and turning his head directed his gaze,
not without interest, towards his youthful nurse. She
was not more than sixteen, and still more beautiful
than young. She had features exquisitely lovely in
their delicacy and expression, deep blue eyes with
long dark fringes, and dark brown hair which, ac-
cording to the fashion of the period, was turned up
behind and enclosed in a caul of network. Her form
was already elegant in its proportions; but it inclined
to be taller, and gave promise of great perfection,
Her charms were set off by the mourning dress which
she wore, and by the robe called the quintise, which
was an upper tunic without sleeves, with bordered
vandyking and scalloping worked and notched in
various patterns, worn so long behind that it swept
the floor, but in front held up gracefully with one
hand so as not to impede the step.

Walter was charmed, and a little astonished as his
eye alighted on a face and form so fascinating; and,
in spite of his prostration and utter weakness, he
gazed on her with lively interest and some wonder.

‘Holy Katherine!’ exclaimed he to himself; ¢ what
a lovely vision. I marvel who she is, and where I
am ; and, as he thus soliloquised, the girl turned round,
and not without flutter and alarm perceived that he
was awake and watching her.

‘Noble demoiselle, heed me not;’ said Walter